Originally Posted By calmom2two We are headed to Disneyland 1/12-1/15, so just a short trip, but we may be back again the following December. I'm contemplating getting one AP because I remember how cheap the hotel rates at Disneyland Hotel were last year for AP holders. I got a great Disneyland Visa rate at that time, put the AP rates were even cheaper. We live in Northern California, and I remember reading something about a pass not being "active" until you actually get to the park. Is this true? If yes, is it pointless to buy a pass now with the intent of using it to get a great discount at the Disneyland Hotel? Has anyone tried this? Many thanks.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Not sure what you exacting are thinking. But if you are upgrading to an AP, just because you MIGHT vcome back a year from now for a discount, DON'T! CHeck the rates next fall at places like MouseSavers.com, and then if you find a great AP rate, reserve it, and then buy an AP. You don't need it to book, only when you check in. In fact, the front desk will sell you an AP when you check in. No reason to give Disney any extra money!
Originally Posted By calmom2two I was thinking that if I bought an AP pass now I could hopefully qualify for a discounted AP rate at the Disneyland Hotel during our stay in January - my understanding is that you have to call ahead for these AP rates, and that they sell out quickly. Since we definitely want to stay on site, though, it may be worth the money to buy one AP pass now just to get the discounted rate in January, especially since we'll likely return again next December. What's confusing me is whether it needs to be activated in person at the gate (thus eliminating my plan to use it to secure a discounted hotel rate for this trip), or whether buying it over the Internet is enough to qualify for the AP hotel rate...
Originally Posted By debtee We purchased our Ap's thru WDT and we were not able to secure an AP hotel rate, until after our AP was activated in person at the gate. So we could not get an AP rate on our last trip but we could this trip as we had already used the passes. Is this what you are meaning? I hope this helps.
Originally Posted By grumpster Just call the reservation number listed on the DL website. They should be able to give you the correct information. I've only had pleasant experiences when dealing with them.
Originally Posted By fidoprincess So far, there have been NO ap rates announced for January '07. They were already released last year by now and we were able to get the DLH last year for $89/weeknight and $109/weekend. Keep watching the boards for the AP rates but I would not hold my breath! Darkbeer is right!!="...then if you find a great AP rate, reserve it, and then buy an AP. You don't need it to book, only when you check in. In fact, the front desk will sell you an AP when you check in." I have read here on this board of many people buying the voucher or just getting it at the gate and then going to the ticket booth to activate before checking into the hotel! You don't need the AP number or anything when you call to make the reservation, you just have to show it when you check in. I did not know that the front desk could sell you the AP so that is great news esp. if you get there late at night after the ticket booth is closed. I would not buy the AP just to save on rates that may not even be offered! Other than those last Jan, I think I only ever saw "real" AP rates one other time in November and a few days at the end of Aug/beg Sept. Anyone else here keep track and know for sure when AP rates were offered this whole last year? I know it did not seem like many at all to me!! All APs can get 10% off but so can AAA and it is a lot cheaper to buy AAA than APs. Also, there is a great senior discount (30%?) so if grandparents are coming, they can book up to 2 rooms at that rate!
Originally Posted By calmom2two Thank you all for the incredibly helpful and much appreciated advice! I knew that there was a missing step between securing the AP pass and actually using it to obtain a cheap AP hotel rate, so it helps to know that it needs to first be activated at the gate. It also helps to know that it's possible to do that, and still use it on this trip. I also appreciate the advice to wait and see if such rates even materialize before buying the pass. Thank you! One last question re: purchasing the AP pass at the hotel. Assuming we do that, do we still have to activate it at the gate, or will purchasing it at the hotel save us a trip to the park? I'm wondering if there might be a difference, between the "voucher" that you get online and the actual pass form the hotel - though I'm guessing there probably isn't one. Just imagining the semi-awkward exchange of, "Hi there, checking in now, and I'll need to purchase an AP pass from you first so that I can capitalize on that cheap rate I secured - excuse me for a moment, though, while I run out to activate the pass..."
